We didn't get into port until Noon and we're docked, not anchored! No food of any kind is allowed off the ship in New Zealand so not only were our bags x-rayed, they were then examined by a food sniffing dog.
The pilot is coming on board!
Beautiful country!
Hey Tracy!
Local tug there to help - just in case?
Valerie had arranged a private tour with Jennifer from Cruise Wellington for us (Patrick was her driver). She was waiting for us after we had gotten off the ship and through the building. It was just our group so a much better tour than a big bus.
We stopped first at Parliament for a photo op. Big buses can't drive right up to the buildings but Patrick just drove right up and let us out. When he was approached by security, he must have smoothed things over because they didn't make him leave.
Our next two stops - the Botanical Gardens upper and lower. I went crazy taking pictures of the flowers they were just so beautiful. The orchids were so lovely - what I would give to be able to grow orchids!
Pictures courtesy of Jim.
We took the cable car from the top back down to the city where Patrick picked us up!
On our way to Mt. Victoria, we stopped at a local grocery store, New World, for chocolate. The fruit/ vegetable displays looked absolutely wonderful but we can't bring any of that back on board!
A brief stop at the beach to take pictures of the ship across the bay.
The road up to Mt. Victoria was a little dicey! Steep, narrow and lots of switchbacks. And once we got to the top, it was very windy. But a wonderful view of Wellington.
At the end of the tour, we were dropped at Te Papa Museum and had a milkshake before walking back to the ship. It was about a mile and a half along the water front.
The evening was as usual - DL, dinner and early to bed for us! During dinner, Ferut (the head waiter serving our section) was trying his hand at trickery (stacking dishes and silverware)!
The ship wasn't scheduled to leave Wellington until midnight but we were sound asleep!
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